Also known as Groodle or Goldendoodle, the mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle is now more popular than ever. The main purpose of their crossbreeding has been to lower the genetic health issues commonly found in purebred dogs.
First-generation Goldendoodles have the least number of genetic health issues compared with their second and third-generation Goldendoodles. That’s because they have one purebred Golden Retriever parent and one purebred Poodle parent.
In this post, we’ll review everything you need to know about Goldendoodles.
Contents
General Information
Before discussing the attitudes and characteristics of Goldendoodles, let’s briefly see the main information we have about this beautiful pet in the table below.
Goldendoodle - Main Information:
| Size | Large |
| Height | 51 to 66 cm |
| Weight | 23 to 45 kilograms |
| Coat | Long |
| Energy | High |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Color | Red, fawn, black, blue, brown, cream, gold, sable, silver, and white |
| Attitude with Kids | Good |
| Living in Apartment | Not Suitable |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
History and Origin of Goldendoodles
The Goldendoodle is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle. It is mostly known for its intelligence and adaptability to various roles such as search and rescue, guide, medical assistance, and therapy dogs. Miniature Goldendoodle is also a smaller version of Groodles which results from breeding a male Miniature Poodle with a female Golden Retriever.
Goldendoodle was initially recorded back in 1969 when Monica Dinkins bred one to create a non-shedding guide dog for those with allergies. The puppy became popular in the 1990s. Although the breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), it’s acknowledged by the Continental Kennel Club and the Goldendoodle Association of North America.
Characteristics of Goldendoodles
Since Goldendoodles come with mixed genetics, their characteristics and temperament aren’t easy to predict. Let’s review their main characteristics:
Personality
The personality of Goldendoodles is mainly affected by the personality of their parents and their upbringing. They are active, social, and in need of exercising and a close bond with their families.
First-generation Groodles have more consistent personalities than subsequent generations bred with other Goldendoodles or Labradoodles whose temperaments are more unpredictable and have more in-breeding problems.
Appearance
Since Goldendoodles have a super soft and cuddly appearance, they’re commonly compared with large teddy bears. They mostly weigh between 23 and 45 kilograms and are as tall as 51 and 66 centimeters, depending on their parentage.
Other characteristics of their appearance include:
- Curly coats
- Long noses
- Round faces
- Brown eyes
- Long tails
- Muscular chests
Coat
Most Goldendoodles have curly coats similar to their Poodle parents and are low-shedding, hence being perfect choices for those with allergies. However, some may have straight fur like their Golden Retriever parent.
Although Groodles are hypoallergenic, it’s suggested that you spend some time with the puppy in advance to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
Color
Groodles come in multiple colors as their Poodle parents have various colors. These colors can include red, fawn, black, blue, brown, cream, gold, sable, silver, and white. It’s not strange to see multiple colors in one litter, especially in first-generation Groodles.
Temperament
Goldendoodles are affectionate, amiable, and adorable. They have the potential to become perfect family pets that love everyone. They normally tend to snuggle up to anyone and are never aggressive.
Other temperaments of Groodles are:
- Intelligent
- Loyal
- Patient
- Perfect working dogs like guide dogs
- Easy to train
- Spending time outdoors with their owners
- Playful and active
- Enjoying activities like chasing frisbees
Goldendoodles’ Everyday Life
You may wonder what it’s like to live with a Groodle. Below, we’re going to learn lots of information about Goldendoodles’ diet, exercise, compatibility, training, and more.
Food and Diet
Groodles need almost 1,200 calories per day, roughly equivalent to three cups of dry dog food. That’s because they are naturally large in size. Thus, it’s necessary to check their food to include the exact amount of food as per their weight.
Try to feed them nutritious food split into at least two meals daily as it can prevent gastric torsion which is a rampant health issue in their Golden Retriever parents.
Family Compatibility
Goldendoodles are friendly and easy to train, hence being a perfect companion for families. They enjoy being outside and playing, ideal for active families
Kids will certainly enjoy playing with Groodles as they’re great with both humans and other animals. They don’t have aggressive personalities and don’t bark, making them poor watchdogs. They will remain happy until you give them love, attention, and playtime.
Exercise
Goldendoodles are big, active animals that need at least 1 hour of exercise per day, which equals 12 miles of exercise per week. To keep them entertained, mental stimulation and obedience training are recommended. If you provide them with enough room, Groodles can adapt to new environments fast. Also, they’re good swimmers.
Grooming
Goldendoodles need regular grooming depending on the type of their coat. You’ll have to brush them on a daily basis if they inherit the Poodle coat to avoid matting. It’s suggested that you start grooming at a young age to help them get used to it and prevent fear.
Additionally, they need:
- Trimming every 8-12 weeks
- Nail clipping
- Weekly teeth brushing
- Frequent ear checks
Training
What makes Groodles perfect for new pet owners is that they’re smart and easy to train. They love to please their owners. You just need to use positive reinforcement techniques such as verbal praise when training them. Keep in mind that physical punishment and correction may make Groodles nervous.
Socializing
It’s easy to socialize with Goldendoodles as they’re friendly and get along with everyone. The only thing to consider is that you should start making them socialize from an early age. That’s more critical when they’re around other animals and kids, though they have no issues with either.
Final Words: Is a Goldendoodle Right for Me?
Goldendoodles are energetic and playful dogs that need daily exercise and mental stimulation. They’re probably inappropriate for those who have intense allergies because Groodles can still shed and make dander.
You have to evaluate the size of Goldendoodles and the amount of training and grooming they need every day. What’s more, Goldendoodles can be expensive, so you need to oversee your budget for food, toys, and veterinary care.
By taking all the information in this post into account and talking to breeders and owners, you can make a thorough decision about whether to buy a Goldendoodle. Furthermore, you can think of fostering or volunteering with a rescue organization to achieve hands-on experience before adopting.
